Why Mets Can Win This Year (Seriously) — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.—The Mets won 74 games last year, their splashiest off-season move involved trading the reigning Cy Young winner for prospects and they play in perhaps baseball's strongest division. This doesn't look like an organization that expects to seriously compete in 2013.

Wheeler & Harvey providing the early heat — PORT ST. LUCIE — Zack Wheeler followed Matt Harvey yesterday in a short bullpen session, perhaps a sign of things to come for the Mets' Future Aces. — Manager Terry Collins set it up so Wheeler lockers next to Harvey to soak up advice on the path to the majors.

Mike Piazza's Memoir Spins Tales and Denies Steroids — As balloting for the Baseball Hall of Fame geared up earlier this winter, rumors began to circulate about why the release of Mike Piazza's book was being pushed back to February, a month after the voting would be concluded and the final results tabulated.

Orioles near multi-year extension with O'Day — The Orioles reached agreements with pitchers Jim Johnson and Jason Hammel on one-year contracts earlier tonight, and they're close to a multi-year extension with reliever Darren O'Day, according to industry sources. — The deal is “all but done,” according to one source.

Yanks discuss contract extension with Cano — NEW YORK — Managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said on Friday that the Yankees have spoken with second baseman Robinson Cano about a contract extension. — “There's been a conversation or two,” Steinbrenner told reporters in Tampa …

Epstein: Cubs believe Marmol is innocent — Closer's lawyer, agent say he'll be ready for start of spring training — MESA, Ariz. — After a judge in the Dominican Republic sent the domestic abuse case against Carlos Marmol to a higher court Friday, Cubs president Theo Epstein said he believes his closer will be exonerated.

Mark Prior in the present tense — Former big league ace has found virtue in quest to return to the Majors — The sun is hot on top of a hill in San Diego and the house is white, so white that it looks perfect. A late-model 1990s sedan stops in the middle of the quiet street …

Cards sign Freese to one-year deal — • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285 — JUPITER, Fla. • The Cardinals and 2011 World Series MVP David Freese have agreed to a one-year deal to avoid arbitration, an official confirmed.

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